Rutgers AD Tim Pernetti Says School "Belongs" In Big Ten Conference

Rutgers AD Tim Pernetti said it is a “transformative day” for the school after it officially signed on to join the Big Ten Conference. Pernetti stressed the conference is “where Rutgers belongs – not just a good fit for us athletically, it’s a good fit for us academically.” He said, “The Big Ten Conference is the ultimate academic neighborhood to live in and we’re now in that neighborhood. … This is not just about collaboration on the fields of play. This is about collaboration at every level.” The school’s start date in the Big Ten is uncertain.

Big Ten Network’s Dave Revsine said Rutgers joining the Big Ten “is a different situation then what we saw” with Maryland joining the conference. Revsine said Maryland was a “charter member of a league that has flourished through the years,” and there was some “ambivalence there by people who felt very strongly about staying.” Revsine: “I don’t think there’s going to be a whole lot of ambivalence here.” He noted the Big East is a “sinking ship,” and for Rutgers, “this is a chance to start anew in a much stronger league and a much better situation” (Big Ten Network, 11/20).

Rutgers plans to join the Big Ten along with Maryland in '14, though the Big East “requires 27 months' notification for departing members.” The school will “have to negotiate a deal with the Big East to leave early” (ESPN.com, 11/20).